Maternity unit review due (From Witney Gazette)

Maternity unit review due

9:40am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News

A PETITION has been launched after births at a west Oxfordshire maternity unit were suspended.

Births at the Cotswold Maternity Unit, in Chipping Norton, were suspended ‘with immediate effect’ after reports by staff and women using the unit. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has now launched an internal review.

A petition started on the gopetition website claims that two midwives were suspended from the unit after they raised concerns about working practices and safety. The petition calls for them to be reinstated.

Last night the OUH said it would not be appropriate to comment on any individual staff issues.

Nor would it confirm whether anyone had been suspended.

Jane Herve, head of midwifery, said: “We have not had issues raised specifically around patient safety.

“There are a number of collective issues which need to be explored.

“The internal review will look at working practices and as part of the review we will listen to anyone who wishes to raise concerns. We are arranging meetings with individuals and also with local groups of women.”